Working Man (16 page)

“Working kind of late, aren't you?”

Leticia gave her a cheeky grin in return. “I work as long as Nick wants me to whenever he wants me to. I've been with him for a long time and I know what he needs and how he needs it better than anyone. You might want to remember that, Miss Whatever. I'm here because Nick wants me and that's not going to change anytime soon so you need to get used to it.”

Dakota could feel pure fury stiffening her spine but before she could respond to that audacious statement Nick returned. He had not only washed his hands, he'd freshened up totally and had even put on a fresh dress shirt. “Baby, can you put these cufflinks in for me?”

He held out his arm to Dakota who obliged him at once. “Lettie what are you still doing here? I told you to leave two hours ago,” he said without even looking at her.

“I was just trying to get caught up on some files,” she said with a slight pout in her voice.

“Well, lock up when you leave. Have a good one,” he said, still staring down at Dakota. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You look good enough to eat. Are you sure you want to go out tonight?”

“Maybe not,” she said with a smile. “What did you have in mind?”

He whispered in her ear again, making her giggle madly and totally forget the other woman was in the room. “You've got a deal, sweetheart. Let's go.”

Leticia watched them leave. They had both forgotten she was there, that much was obvious. But all that was going to change, and real soon. She'd had just about enough of being ignored and she knew just what to do to change the status quo.
Enjoy it while it lasts, Miss Thang. Because it's not gonna last much longer,
she thought.

 

After she was good and settled into her new home, Dakota threw a housewarming party for her family and friends. Her parents and her brother came to Chicago to visit and Billie was able to attend the housewarming as promised. It was lots of fun, with all her new friends from work, Paul and Patsy and even a couple of girlfriends from D.C. Everyone fell in love with Nick, especially her father. The two of them were as thick as thieves and her mother was the one who pointed out the reason for their instant friendship.

Lee, Dakota's mother, was a beauty, and it was easy to see where Dakota and Billie got their good looks. She was a rich mahogany with startlingly white hair worn fashionably short. She was full of figure like Dakota and all her curves were still in the right places. She was watching the two men sitting on the deck behind Dakota's house and shaking her head. They were both drinking beer and puffing away on huge Dominican cigars and laughing about something. “Honey, I hate to tell you this, but they're just alike. Most women fall for men just like their fathers and you're no exception.”

Dakota had contorted her face in dismay, and Lee just laughed at her. “What did you tell me about his clothes?”

“Mama, his closet is like a warehouse! In my entire life I've never owned as many things as he has in there. And a lot of them still have the price tags on them! He has shoes, belts, ties, sweaters, suits, you name it, and it's in there. Not to mention the jewelry. Thank God he doesn't wear it most of the time, but there's a couple of diamond pinky rings in his jewelry box.” She shuddered delicately at the thought of all the clothes her future husband possessed.

“Honey, you don't remember this, but when he was younger, your father was worse than that. And he had some outrageous stuff, too. He's actually toned it down over the years.”

Billie and Dakota looked at each other and laughed because their father was still known as a snappy dresser who liked suits in unusual colors and silk vests and ties in outrageous patterns.

“It's because they grew up poor, honey. After a while, when they internalize the idea that nobody's going to come and take it from them, they'll calm down. But acquisition is a real big deal for them. Now that he has financial security it's important to him to have
things,
the things he couldn't have when he was growing up. Once you start having babies, it'll stop because all his focus will be on the children. You're going to have to stop him from spoiling them rotten, though. There's a real sweet streak in your Nick. He likes to shower you with love and he's going to drown those kids in the same emotion. You're going to have to be the disciplinarian,” she said affectionately.

“I'm very happy for you, baby. You've done very well for yourself. I have to tell you, I couldn't stand that Jonah. I was so glad when you got rid of that leech! Nick is a totally different kind of man, though. That's your soul mate, Dakota.”

Her brother Johnny was also very favorably impressed by Nick. He was still angry with himself over recommending a crook like Bernard Jackson to his sister. “I put some people on it, Cookie, but by the time they found out where he was hiding out, your man had already dealt with it.” Johnny was cautious by nature, especially after what Dakota had been through, but Nick made a huge impression on him. Johnny was about six foot three and broad-shouldered with his mother's coloring, and he was as handsome as his sisters were pretty. He wore a goatee and kept his head shaved, which gave him a debonair, sexy appearance but he was still single and not really looking. His work took up too much of his time.

The weekend visit had been wonderful and Dakota had been sorry to see it end, even though her parents' visit had curtailed her time alone with Nick. She and her father had gone out on Saturday morning so he could see the neighborhood, and he had to give her his opinion of her future husband. Boyd Phillips was an imposing figure. He wasn't overly tall, only about six foot one, but he commanded attention and respect wherever he went. He was a much-sought-after speaker and motivator and he could accomplish anything he put his mind to. He'd raised his children to have the same attitude towards their goals.

“Sweetie, I have to tell you I was surprised by your choice of a husband. Very surprised,” he said in his most serious voice, the one he used when he wasn't pleased with something. “I was surprised that you had the good sense to get him after that limp noodle you brought home last time,” he said with a loud laugh.

Dakota gave his arm a playful pat. “Daddy, don't tease me! You know how sensitive I am.”

“Okay, baby girl, I'ma leave you alone. But I think you've got yourself a real good man. He's smart, he's tough and he knows how to take care of what's his. He's got a good work ethic and he'll be in your corner all the way. You'll never have to worry about him because that man is devoted to you. He appreciates you and he's going to treat you right. You didn't ask, but you have my blessing,” he added with a glint in his eye.

Dakota's face flamed up. She hadn't consulted her parents about marrying Nick, figuring that at thirty-three, she was supposed to sink or swim on her own. Hoping she hadn't hurt his feelings, she tried to explain, but he waved it away. “Nick talked to me like a man, baby girl. The night we got here he asked if he could have a word and we did. Like I said, that's a good man.”

Nick was a good man, and more importantly, he was her man for life. She just couldn't imagine anything that could come between them, although Leticia seemed to be trying her best. It had gotten to the point where she called him only on his cell phone because there were a few too many times when she'd left a message on his voice mail that he said he never got. It didn't take Dakota long to figure out who was intercepting those messages. With all her heart she wanted to avoid picking the scab over their semi-argument about Leticia, but she finally had to point out to him that he might be just friends with the woman, but his ex-wife wanted him back.

“Dakota, you're wrong about that. Dead wrong. And even if you were right, I don't want her for anything except a highly efficient office manager which is all that she is,” Nick had told her.

“If she's so danged efficient why does she keep losing my messages? That's why I call you on your cell. God help us if you ever lose that, I'd never be able to contact you.”

“Baby, you're worried about nothing. Leticia can be a handful, but she ain't stupid. I pay her a good salary and she's not about to jeopardize it by trying some dumb stuff. If I even thought she was trying something crazy she'd be out on her butt and she knows this. Just let it go, Dakota.”

And because she trusted Nick with all her heart, she tried her best to do just that.

Dakota and Nick had really managed to compromise on his long working hours. She made the best of the situation she knew how important his work was to him. He'd managed to keep his word and there were very few occasions where he'd had to break a date or reschedule one. The only thing of real importance to her was the black tie affair in October to which he'd promised to escort her.

She was receiving a National Book Award for her latest book,
Blood on the Roses.
It was a fascinating account of murder and mayhem in the elite circles of horse-breeding in Kentucky. She'd worked over a year researching the book and as a result, a person who'd escaped prosecution had been brought to justice. She was understandably proud of her accomplishment and she couldn't wait to have Nick at her side to celebrate.

She had bought an elegant black velvet strapless gown with a matching coat and she looked nothing short of regal in the ensemble. Nick was supposed to have met her at home at five, but he wasn't there. She called his cell phone six times, but he either had it turned off or he wasn't answering. She dallied as long as she could, but when it was apparent that he was going to stand her up, she left. She arrived at the hotel where the gala event was being held just before the cocktail hour ended. Toni came up to her at once, asking where she'd been. “Where's Nick? Parking the car?”

“I have no idea where Nick is,” Dakota answered tersely. “I truly hope he has a good excuse for this because I could really hate him right about now.”

The banquet went on as scheduled and she received her award with grace and dignity but with no Nick by her side.

 

Nick was at that very moment cursing up a blue streak. A problem had arisen at one of his work sites about fifty miles from Chicago, and he'd had to check it out himself. It had taken longer than he planned and when he got back to town, it was late. To make matters worse, Lettie was stranded at the office and she had to get home to her kids. Nick had unhesitatingly told her she could use his truck, if she just dropped him at home. “Do me one favor, Lettie. I've got to jump in the shower, so you hold my cell and if Dakota calls tell her I'm on my way. I know I'm running late and I'm sorry, but I'll be there.”

“Sure, boss, no problem. You take your time because these things never start on time. If she calls I'll tell her that I'll drop you off at the hotel and you can drive her car home. How's that?” she asked helpfully.

After Dakota had accepted her award she was too upset to linger and she left as soon as possible. She'd called Nick one more time to let him know she was headed to his place and she hoped he had a good explanation for his desertion. When she pulled into the driveway and saw his truck, she was livid. She used her key to let herself in and stormed into the house. In the past few months a sofa and chairs had been added to the living room and that's where she saw the scene that ripped out her heart. Leticia was reclining on the very sofa that she had picked out, wearing only a slip. A glass of wine was at hand and there were candles, her Warm Spirit candles that she'd ordered for Nick, lit everywhere around the room. The CD player was on and the mood was strictly one of seduction. Leticia smiled at her triumphantly.

“If you're looking for Nick he's in the shower. He said I worked him pretty good,” she said smugly.

“Give him a message for me, would you? Tell him it's over.”

She walked over to where the smirking woman sprawled on the sofa and leaned down. “And can you give him something else, too? Give him this,” she said as she drew back her hand and slapped Leticia so hard she rolled off the sofa.

By the time Nick came downstairs, Leticia was fully dressed and looking as innocent as possible under the circumstances. The candles were extinguished and the music was off and she was holding an ice pack to her cheek.

“Lettie, get moving, I'm already late. What the hell are you doing?” Nick demanded.

“I'm icing my cheek where that crazy woman hit me. She came stompin' up in here and cussed me out, then she attacked me,” Leticia said tearfully. “What the hell is wrong with her, Nick? I never did anything to her in my life,” she added with a pitiful sniff.

“I don't know what the hell is going on here, Lettie, but I've had just about enough of this crap to last me a lifetime. Get the hell out of here and make sure you get my truck back first thing in the morning.”

When she hesitated, Nick repeated his words in a louder, rougher tone. “Get out, Lettie, and my truck better be in my driveway come morning.”

 

As brilliantly happy as the summer and fall had been, that's how dreary the rest of the year was for Dakota. When she'd finally tried to make sense of the situation, she knew in her heart that Nick hadn't done anything wrong, it was her insecurity and her jealousy that had done the dirty work. She'd tried to do the right thing and apologize, but it hadn't worked. She took her pride in hand and went to his house a week after the gala and told him to his face that she'd overreacted and she was sorry. “I'm truly sorry, Nick. I saw her lying on our sofa in that cheap slip and I flipped out. I was mad as hell because you hadn't shown up or called me, and I'd been calling you over and over with no answer. Then she stages this phony seduction and I lost it. It was wrong of me and I know it, but I'm hoping we can put it behind us,” she said humbly.